RETENTION OF TITANIUM TETRAFLUORIDE (TIF4), USED AS FISSURE SEALANT ON HUMAN DECIDUOUS MOLARS

When dental hard tissues are exposed to aqueous solutions of TiF4, an acid-resistant glaze forms on tooth surfaces. The aim of the present s tudy was to examine the long-term retention of the glaze on TiF4-treat ed deciduous molars. The occlusal surfaces of four deciduous molars in each of seven children were treated with 4% TiF4 for 1 min. The seale d teeth were extracted after 1, 3, 6, or 12 months and examined with s canning electron microscopy. An extensive surface layer was present on all deciduous molars after 1 month. After 3 months the glaze appeared to be worn out on the cusp tips and in some areas on the cusp incline s. At 6 months the glaze was observed as small areas distributed over the cusp inclines with total coverage of the pits and fissures. After 1 year the presence of the glaze was limited to pits and fissures. Cli nically, all fissures were caries-free by visual inspection at the end of the experimental period. The results indicate that the glaze forme d after topical TiF4 application may be an effective way of sealing pi ts and fissures under clinical conditions.